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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Warning: Potential snarfage if you make this recipe. Very soft, moist, tangy and delicious. They taste just as good, if not better, by the second and third day.

It is important to note that a stand mixer should be used for this recipe. If you don't have access to one, use a bowl and a wooden spatula. Avoid using a hand mixer at all costs. After reading the reviews of this recipe at Food Network, hand mixers were known to burn out after trying to mix the following ingredients.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl with a stand mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Yeah, I am so making some of these! You know what else I've had a jones for? Chocolate chip cookies baked in a pan. With M&Ms and walnuts. MMMMmmmm.

Just started the "night shift" after a record amount of sleep in one day. While I'm thinking about it, I wanted to tell you about a few low-cost and versatile items that have been indispensible during the past week since we brought home baby. Just suggestions, of course. I wish someone had given me a "first week" list:

-A dozen cloth diapers. These are great for burp clothes, wiping up little messes, or even just a light sheet over baby.

-Waterproof lap pads. Great layer between baby and the crib sheet or changing pad cover, MUCH easier to clean and replace. Mine came in a pack of three at Target, I bought three packs.

-Pack of solid white onesies. For the first few weeks, at least, baby's going to sleep most hours of the day. It's nice to not have to fool with fussy outfits when you need to get that diaper changed in a hurry. Plus, there's just something about a baby in pristine solid white.

P.S. I ate like a PIG up until the night I gave birth. Since coming home, though, I have found that I don't crave junk food half as much AND my appetite is 1/4 what it was. I've already lost more than 30 pounds and am within about 10 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight. You may very well experience the same thing! In the meantime, have another gooey butter cookie, why dontcha?

I heard about this on NPR and thought of you. I googled in the midwest, but need to search further. It's a dream, longterm for many people. I know you are about to have your hands full, but it might be an interesting read.

One more thing, can't believe I forgot the microwave steam sterilizer! The one I bought is made by Avent and it holds 6 4-oz. bottles with their tops. I have used it every single day since we came home.

Ali, I think that I subscribed to your e-mailed posts in the past month, but this has definitely been the 1st time that I've really had a chance to look around at a few recipes!!! Yummy! I will be definitely enjoying your blog posts!!! Barb